Repainting my car...
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee, FL
Repainting my car... It's time to get it repainted, but I want to do the prep work myself to save some $$$. What do I need to do in order to get it fully prepped? I will just be having the outside painted, and it will be the same color as it is now (navy blue metallic) so I don't have to mess with the door jams, et cetera. I tried a search and didn't find much, but if anyone could give me some advice as far as sand paper grit, sanding technique, what primer I should use, et cetera I would really appreciate it!
Last edited by Super Slow Z; Oct 22, 2009 at 04:21 PM.
Launching!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 252
Likes: 1
Honestly if you have never done it before. It would be in your best interest to have some one there to show you or just let a professional do it. I have done 4 cars, and I am about to start on my Z. The trick with sanding is cross hatching it. Meaning sand it 3 times at a angle one way and then 3 times another way. You will need sand paper from 80 grit up to 4000. I would find a paint store, and talk to them about the body filler and primer. I personally like Z grip. And as far as a primer, get a filler primer. It will help fill up anything you didnt get perfect. Its going to take you some time to do all this, so just be prepared. GL lmk if you need any help.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee, FL
Honestly if you have never done it before. It would be in your best interest to have some one there to show you or just let a professional do it. I have done 4 cars, and I am about to start on my Z. The trick with sanding is cross hatching it. Meaning sand it 3 times at a angle one way and then 3 times another way. You will need sand paper from 80 grit up to 4000. I would find a paint store, and talk to them about the body filler and primer. I personally like Z grip. And as far as a primer, get a filler primer. It will help fill up anything you didnt get perfect. Its going to take you some time to do all this, so just be prepared. GL lmk if you need any help.
Launching!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 252
Likes: 1
My dad went to auto body school, just for fun, not as a career. He taught everything I know. When you get it sanded down, its all about the feel. Thats why I said its best to have some one who knows what they are doing, show you. Then go to town. Its not that hard once you get the hang of it.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 701
Likes: 0
From: chicago
imm sorry but a school is a joke to us, no offense but i learned from old crabby journey man that taught me more then a school ever would
2nd dude your asking what to do what to use, we cant teach you online i cant teach you 20 yrs in a small paragragh, it just wont happen, if your uncomfortable with trying and ya know your going to screw things up, then let us techs do it for you
if ya bring it to me ill cut ya a deal, to a certain degree, our work isnt free ya know
2nd dude your asking what to do what to use, we cant teach you online i cant teach you 20 yrs in a small paragragh, it just wont happen, if your uncomfortable with trying and ya know your going to screw things up, then let us techs do it for you
if ya bring it to me ill cut ya a deal, to a certain degree, our work isnt free ya know
4000 grit..wow are you trying to polish it before you paint lol..
To fix a dent..Grind with 36-80..apply body filler
Sand Filler with 80-180
Then do a quick sand with 220 then prime body work
Sand primer with 320 to start-then 500-600
Spray a Sealer (make sure you cant see your 500-600 grit scratches)
Then Spray Base Coat
Last..clear
Remember all paint will shrink..So take it a step farther..most people prime over 180..Well over time youll see the 180 scratches..Then paint over 320 or 500..sorry youll see them really soon.. I take it a bit farther and go with 600 and seal it to help hind the sanding marks..
Better qaulity paints make a difference
Spies Hecker one of the best
PPG or Nason/Dupont..Nason/Dupont is cheaper for the avrage guy..Iv used a lot..I like it.
To fix a dent..Grind with 36-80..apply body filler
Sand Filler with 80-180
Then do a quick sand with 220 then prime body work
Sand primer with 320 to start-then 500-600
Spray a Sealer (make sure you cant see your 500-600 grit scratches)
Then Spray Base Coat
Last..clear
Remember all paint will shrink..So take it a step farther..most people prime over 180..Well over time youll see the 180 scratches..Then paint over 320 or 500..sorry youll see them really soon.. I take it a bit farther and go with 600 and seal it to help hind the sanding marks..
Better qaulity paints make a difference
Spies Hecker one of the best
PPG or Nason/Dupont..Nason/Dupont is cheaper for the avrage guy..Iv used a lot..I like it.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 701
Likes: 0
From: chicago
^^^^^its not as easy as it looks or sounds^^^^^^
even u sing a D.A. might look easy but its not, using a nail gun is not easy, everything takes yrs and yrs to perfect, ya just cant learn from us tech online or in a automotive forum, im sorry but its not going to happen
even u sing a D.A. might look easy but its not, using a nail gun is not easy, everything takes yrs and yrs to perfect, ya just cant learn from us tech online or in a automotive forum, im sorry but its not going to happen
Trending Topics
Hell no its not easy lol..I rearly use a D/A but I do a lot of weekend toys and older cars. Blocking and blocking and blocking...AND MORE..lol..Im better at Painting than body work..Iv been 4 years in school and a few smaller shops and I learned more from one guy that helped me get were I am now..
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the first shop i worked in the guy i worked with told me remember what you learned in scool well forget it and pay attention learned alot from him now i work with his son and still learn stuff this business you will never know everything about everything and will never see 2 of the same hits
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (12)
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, Florida, New York
Dumb *** me once tried to save on prep and sanded one side of a pickup truck to bare metal, my paint guy seen it and said john let me do it. he painted the pickup for a thousand $. i helped out by taking off the rubber trim and all the lights and emblems and reinstalling myself. Good luck it is fun to learn new stuff. you can do it. You said you wanted to prep not paint so it will be good learning. Yes you can't be a pro by just this forum but it can get you started. I'm not a mechanic but it sure helped to eliminate my egr,replace stripped tire rod and replace master cylinder on my Astro van when I was dead broke. Good luck, John
Launching!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 252
Likes: 1
imm sorry but a school is a joke to us, no offense but i learned from old crabby journey man that taught me more then a school ever would
2nd dude your asking what to do what to use, we cant teach you online i cant teach you 20 yrs in a small paragragh, it just wont happen, if your uncomfortable with trying and ya know your going to screw things up, then let us techs do it for you
if ya bring it to me ill cut ya a deal, to a certain degree, our work isnt free ya know
2nd dude your asking what to do what to use, we cant teach you online i cant teach you 20 yrs in a small paragragh, it just wont happen, if your uncomfortable with trying and ya know your going to screw things up, then let us techs do it for you
if ya bring it to me ill cut ya a deal, to a certain degree, our work isnt free ya know
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 701
Likes: 0
From: chicago
the first shop i worked in the guy i worked with told me remember what you learned in scool well forget it and pay attention learned alot from him now i work with his son and still learn stuff this business you will never know everything about everything and will never see 2 of the same hits
comes to the shop with a brand new snap on box it had the 57 chevy on it, well next day boss puts a t-bird in his stall, with the work order on it he looks at me i look at him and say, ya miss wyo tech now dont ya
us journey men can teach more then a school ever can
